School Bus Rules

1.School Bus and Bus Stop Rules. The school district school bus safety rules are to be posted on every bus. If these rules are broken, the school district’s discipline procedures are to be followed. Consequences are progressive and may include suspension of bus privileges. It is the school bus driver’s responsibility to report unacceptable behavior to the school district’s Transportation Office/School Office.

2.Rules at the Bus Stop

A.Get to your bus stop five minutes before your scheduled pick up time. The school bus driver will not wait for late students.

B.Respect the property of others while waiting at your bus stop.

C.Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.

D.Use appropriate language.

E.Stay away from the street, road or highway when waiting for the bus.

F.Wait until the bus stops before approaching the bus.

G. After getting off the bus, move away from the bus, stay out of the danger zone.

H.If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Wait for the driver to signal to you before crossing the street. If the bus driver sounds the horn, quickly move back to the side of the road.

I.No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.

J.No use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.

3. Rules on the Bus

A.Immediately follow the directions of the driver.

B.Sit in your seat facing forward with your bottom on the bottom and your back on the back.

C.Talk quietly and use appropriate language.

D.Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.

E.Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.

F.No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.

G.Do not throw any object.

H.No eating, drinking, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

I.Do not bring any weapons or dangerous objects on the school bus.

J.Do not damage the school bus.

K.No Cell Phones or flash cameras.

4.Consequences

a. Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will apply to all regular and late routes. Decisions regarding a student’s ability to ride the bus in connection with co-curricular and extracurricular events (for example, field trips or competitions) will be in the sole discretion of the school district. Parents or guardians will be notified of any suspension of bus privileges.

(1) Elementary (K-5)

1st offense–warning (“Change Needed” form issued to student by driver for parent signature.)

2nd offense–3 school-day suspension from riding the bus

3rd offense–5 school-day suspension from riding the bus

4th offense–10 school-day suspension from riding the bus/meeting with parent

Further offenses – individually considered. Students may be suspended for longer periods of time, including the remainder of the school year.

(2)Secondary (6-12)

1st offense–warning (“Change Needed” form issued to student by driver for parent signature.)

2nd offense–5 school-day suspension from riding the bus

3rd offense–10 school-day suspension from riding the bus

4th offense–20 school-day suspension from riding the bus/meeting with parent

5th offense–suspended from riding the bus for the remainder of the school year

(3) Other Discipline

Based on the severity of a student’s conduct, more serious consequences may be imposed at any time.Depending on the nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school also may result from school bus/bus stop misconduct.

(4)Records

Records of school bus/bus stop misconduct will be forwarded to the individual school building and will be retained in the same manner as other student discipline records. Reports of student misbehavior on a school bus or in a bus-loading or unloading area that causes an immediate and substantial danger to the student or surrounding persons or property will be provided by the school district to the Department of Public Safety in accordance with state and federal law.

(5)Vandalism/Bus Damage

Students damaging school buses will be responsible for the damages. Failure to pay such damages (or make arrangements to pay) within two weeks may result in the loss of bus privileges until damages are paid.

(6)Notice

School bus and bus stop rules and consequences for violations of these rules will be reviewed with students annually and copies of these rules will be made available to students.School bus rules are to be posted on each school bus.

(7)Criminal Conduct

In cases involving criminal conduct (for example, assault, weapons, possession or vandalism), the appropriate school district personnel and local law enforcement officials will be informed.